Immigrant families pray for injunction interference
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A crowd of immigrant families and religious leaders gathered together on Saturday to take part in a prayer vigil and legal clinic meeting.
The prayer vigil and legal clinic was held by the Indianapolis Congregation Action Network (IndyCAN) at 10 a.m. St. Anthony Catholic Church at the 300 block of North Warman Avenue, in response to a state injunction of President Obama’s immigration relief initiatives.
Over 130 religious leaders from around the state put forth an open letter calling on Governor Pence to withdraw Indiana from the list of 26 states included in Texas Judge Hanon’s ruling that issued a preliminary injunction against Obama’s November initiatives.
“This injunction blocks relief from millions of families who’ve waited too long already and is an attempt to confuse and shake people’s confidence in the integrity of the deferred action program. That’s why we are calling on Governor Pence to stop playing politics with people’s lives and drop Indiana from this lawsuit,” explained Angie Reyes, DACA recipient and IndyCAN leader.
At Saturday’s IndyCAN DACA Celebration and Legal Clinic, a group gathered to learn what Obama’s initiatives might mean for their families.
“When President Obama announced administrative relief, we knew that the historic moment was a first step towards creating strong immigration policies that allow families stay together, and allows children to stay safe in a nation where families could thrive,” explains Rev. Linda McCrae, IndyCAN Pastor at Central Christian Church.
Saturday’s event was the first of several events that have been scheduled this year to assist the 43,000 eligible Hoosiers learn about the possible benefits of the deferred action programs.
To learn about when and where future events will be held or how to get involved, click here.